10 Animals of the Bible

The Holy Bible makes much mention of animals of all species. From land animals to birds, many beasts are mentioned as well as what they were used for. Many references to animals in the Bible are metaphors used to explain God's plan to Christians.

The camel was used as a mount and a beast of burden. One of the famous metaphors "camel through the eye of a needle" can be found in verse Mark 10:25. In this metaphor, Jesus was teaching his disciples that "hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:23 KJV). The disciples are astonished that riches are unnecessary to enter heaven and Jesus tells them "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25 KJV).

During biblical times, the elephant was a weapon of war. It's ivory was highly valuable as well. When Antiochus V attacked Jews by force, he employed the use of elephants. War elephant were popular in war with Darius III of Persia, as well.

In the Song of Solomon, the gazelle was used as a simile for beauty and grace. Many animals of the antelope family were hunted as game such as the oryx, mentioned by Isaiah; the roebuck referred to in Deuteronomy 14:5; and the ibex.

Many biblical scholars believe "leviathan" (Job 41:1) that God speaks of is actually the Nile crocodile. God asked Job if he could "put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?" (41:2), "Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?" (41:7). There once existed a town called Crocodilopolis to the south of Mount Carmel. The crocodile's known habitat was in Egypt.

Birds have been predominant throughout the bible. The dove was and is still today a symbol of the Spirit of God in Christian art. It stems from Matthew's description of Jesus' baptism. The raven however, was described as unclean and as scavengers.

The serpent is one of the most common symbolic forms of Satan. Biblical writers saw serpents and vipers as dangerous, and viewed them as a representative of treachery, and fear. From the book of Genesis to John the Baptist's condemnation of the Pharisees, the serpent has a vile imagery.

While the Bible uses several predominant creatures to explain parables or to teach lessons, it also teaches what animals were used for food. This insight shows that animals were essential to the life of the people during biblical times. These examples show how they viewed certain animals from revering the saint-like dove to how they feared and avoided the low-lying slithering snake.